Hello,
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Can anyone recommend any good websites for purchasing vinyl windows? All of the various manufacturers require that you go through local dealer to purchase their products. I’d like to find a good source to purchase them online.
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Thank you in advance.
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Rick
Replies
Welcome to Breaktime.
Since nobody knows where you are, it's impossible to help you in that way. (Please fill in your profile).
When I need a few windows, I normally go to my local glazier and order them. f I need a whole house full of them, I start trolling the yellow pages, with first preferences to previous contacts.
Quality repairs for your home.
AaronR Construction
Vancouver, Canada
Thank you. I didn't realize there was a place to place profile information. I am in San Carlos which is located midway between San Francisco and San Jose, CA.
rboarman -
A few weeks ago, I installed two windows and a patio door from Home Depot and I probably won't get any more windows or doors from them. The sliding panel on the patio door was very difficult to get out of (and back into) the frame and I had the same problem with the window screens.
I've been told that HD puts a lot of pressure on their vendors to hold costs down and that the vendors compromise fit and finish to meet the cost demands. I've also learned to carefully inspect their stuff before accepting it. It's very common to find "dings" caused by shipping and handling.
Last year, I had good luck with some Lowes windows, but had to go to Gilroy to get them. Lowes is coming to San Jose (finally!!) and I'm definitely looking forward to it.
That's been my experience with HD as well. I installed a Jen-Weld replacement and had to return it due to some damage that I didn’t notice at the store.<!----><!----><!---->
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There must be a place online to purchase higher quality windows and doors at reasonable prices. <!----><!---->
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The local stores all charge full retail and are reluctant to sell to DIYers.<!----><!---->
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Rick
I don't know for sure, but my guess is that windows are just one of those products that are not readily purchased on line. Can't you just buy what you need from a Lowe's or Home Depot?
First, are these windows to fit existing openings, or do you have some design flexibility?
Check e-bay if you have some flexibility to make the house fit the windows. Check e-bay even if you don't, you might get lucky. There's another online thing called Craig's List, which I've heard good things about, but haven't used.
Also check suppliers like Stock. Back when they were Terry Lumber, they used to have a huge selection of "boneyard" windows -- ones that were custom ordered, but with mistakes. Their boneyard discount, though, was nowhere near as good as you could get on e-bay, maybe 10%.
If you do have to custom order windows, the boneyard checking exercise is still a valuable one. Order from the place that has the smallest boneyard to overall business ratio. ;-)
-- J.S.